Improving survival rates for pancreatic cancer patients

19 May 2017

Pancreatic cancer is one of the less common cancers, but one of the leading causes of death, because it usually presents when well-advanced and is difficult to treat.

Eight years ago, the BFCCC was only the second cancer treatment centre to introduce a new combination of chemotherapy drugs – Gemcitabine and Abraxane – with stunning results.

St John of God Subiaco Hospital’s Head of Medical Oncology Dr Andrew Dean said Gemcitabine had traditionally been used to treat pancreatic cancer, while Abraxane was a new breast cancer treatment yet to be released for widespread use. It was generously provided by the suppliers so that more than 200 patients could be treated with the combination before it became widely available.

“This combination was the first significant advance in many years and resulted in a doubling of the survival rate among patients with widespread (metastatic) pancreatic cancer,” Dr Dean said.

“It also had a dramatic effect on those with locally advanced cancer, which is usually considered inoperable. At least a quarter of these patients went on to have successful surgery.”

Dr Dean said the Abraxane was made available to patients at no charge as part of this ground-breaking access program, made possible by a ‘can-do’ attitude by all involved.

The analysis of the results and impact of this innovative approach have since been presented at many international meetings, including The American Society of Clinical Oncology and The World Gastrointestinal Congress, cementing the centre’s reputation as a global leader.

Dr Dean said the BFCCC was also the first in the world to use modified Folfirinox as a second-line treatment for pancreatic cancer, when it had previously been dismissed as too toxic.

“Our results showed that this can be a very successful treatment when previous treatment options have failed,” Dr Dean said.

“Because of this published experience, we have since been invited to participate in a number of major international studies.”

Dr Dean said the BFCCC is now the leading global site for the Yosemite study, which is trialling a new antibody in conjunction with chemotherapy, and the first centre in the world to offer a pancreatic cancer study, using a newer, more potent version of Folfirinox.

“Being involved in trials like this gives our patients access to innovative new drugs, often many years before they become available on the open market,” Dr Dean said.

“As a result, our five-year survival rate for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer is among the best in the world.”

The BFCCC is one of many research centres supported by the St John of God Foundation, which helps fund clinical trials and important equipment and infrastructure.